Chinese Canadians: Population, Immigration Trends & Demographics
Chinese Canadians are Canadians who have full or partial Chinese ancestry or who trace their roots to China and other Chinese-speaking regions. People of Chinese origin form an important community in several countries across North and South America. In Canada, Chinese Canadians are the second-largest Asian ethnic group, after South Asians, and also the second-largest visible minority group in the country.
Chinese Canadians account for approximately 4.72% of Canada’s total population. According to the 2021 Canadian Census, about 1,713,875 people (1.7 million) reported Chinese ancestry in Canada. British Columbia has the highest percentage of the Chinese population among all Canadian provinces.
Source: Canada Census 2021
Also read about: Chinese Population in the United States
Chinese population by Province in Canada
Ontario, with 821,840 people of Chinese ancestry, has the largest population of Chinese Canadians in the country, followed by British Columbia (517,805) and Alberta (177,990).
In percentage terms, British Columbia (10.53%) has the highest concentration of the Chinese population, followed by Ontario (5.86%) and Alberta (4.26%).
List of Provinces by Chinese Ancestry (2021 Census)
| # | Province | Population (2021) | % of Total |
| 1 | Ontario | 821,840 | 5.86% |
| 2 | British Columbia | 517,805 | 10.53% |
| 3 | Alberta | 177,990 | 4.26% |
| 4 | Quebec | 123,985 | 1.49% |
| 5 | Manitoba | 29,550 | 2.26% |
| 6 | Saskatchewan | 19,965 | 1.81% |
| 7 | Nova Scotia | 11,520 | 1.21% |
| 8 | New Brunswick | 4,605 | 0.61% |
| 9 | Prince Edward Island | 3,050 | 2.03% |
| 10 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 2,265 | 0.45% |
| 11 | Yukon | 835 | 2.11% |
| 12 | Northwest Territories | 365 | 0.90% |
| 13 | Nunavut | 100 | 0.27% |
| Canada | 1,713,875 | 4.72% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
Also read about: Japanese Population in Canada
Chinese population by Metropolitan Area in Canada
The Toronto metropolitan area, with 668,700 people of Chinese ancestry, has the largest population of Chinese Canadians in the country. It is followed by Vancouver (475,160) and Montreal (111,100).
Top Canadian Metropolitan Areas by Chinese Population (2021 Census)
| # | City (Metropolitan Area) | Province | Population (2021) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toronto | Ont. | 668,700 | 10.89% |
| 2 | Vancouver | B.C. | 475,160 | 18.23% |
| 3 | Montreal | Que. | 111,100 | 2.64% |
| 4 | Calgary | Alta. | 99,055 | 6.76% |
| 5 | Edmonton | Alta. | 68,480 | 4.90% |
| 6 | Ottawa – Gatineau | Ont./Que. | 52,455 | 3.58% |
| 7 | Hamilton | Ont. | 48,565 | 4.35% |
| 8 | Winnipeg | Man. | 26,845 | 3.27% |
| 9 | Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo | Ont. | 18,230 | 3.21% |
| 10 | Victoria | B.C. | 18,130 | 4.67% |
| 11 | London | Ont. | 13,115 | 2.45% |
| 12 | Oshawa | Ont. | 10,875 | 2.64% |
| 13 | Saskatoon | Sask. | 10,140 | 3.26% |
| 14 | Halifax | N.S. | 9,600 | 2.08% |
| 15 | Windsor | Ont. | 9,035 | 2.17% |
| 16 | St. Catharines–Niagara | Ont. | 6,890 | 1.62% |
| 17 | Regina | Sask. | 6,440 | 2.63% |
| 18 | Guelph | Ont. | 5,110 | 3.13% |
| 19 | Ottawa–Gatineau (Quebec part) | Que. | 3,885 | 1.12% |
| 20 | Quebec City | Que. | 3,700 | 0.45% |
Source: Canada Census 2021
Also read about: Top Cities in British Columbia by Population
Frequently Asked Questions About Chinese Canadians
Q: Who are Chinese Canadians?
Chinese Canadians are people living in Canada who have full or partial Chinese ancestry, including those who immigrated from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or other Chinese-speaking regions.
Q: How many Chinese Canadians live in Canada?
According to the 2021 Canadian Census, about 1,713,875 people reported Chinese ancestry, representing roughly 4.72% of the total population.
Q: Which province has the largest Chinese population?
Ontario has the largest number of Chinese Canadians, followed by British Columbia and Alberta. In percentage terms, British Columbia has the highest concentration.
Q: Which cities have the highest Chinese populations in Canada?
The Toronto metropolitan area has the largest population of Chinese Canadians, followed by Vancouver and Montreal.
Q: Are Chinese Canadians considered visible minorities in Canada?
Yes. Chinese Canadians are classified as part of the visible minority population, making them the second-largest visible minority group after South Asians.
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